Fun two-player games recommended that you can play using conversation only
All you need are your voices! Here are two-player games you can play using conversation alone.
We’ve gathered games you can enjoy with a friend, a partner, or a parent and child—any time there are two of you.
No props required, so they’re perfect for spare moments or even during a call! From classics like word-chain games to language-based challenges that make you think a little, there’s plenty to choose from.
If the two of you take your time and enjoy these conversation-only games, you’re sure to grow closer! Pick your favorites and give them a try!
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Psychological and mind-game genres (11–20)
The “No-◯◯” Game
It’s a game where you set conversation rules in advance and enjoy the awkwardness that comes from being aware of what’s forbidden.
You can have broad rules, like banning Japanese or banning English altogether, or more detailed ones that prohibit specific words—there’s a wide range of possibilities.
If you’re at Disneyland, for example, choosing a theme that nudges people toward breaking the rules—like place names being in English—can be important.
If everyone goes quiet, you won’t make mistakes, but the conversation won’t be lively either, so it might be important to have rules like penalties to make sure the conversation keeps going.
[Mind Games] Change Janken
![[Mind Games] Change Janken](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mtNnyohjMlk/sddefault.jpg)
It’s a game that adds an element of verbal mind games to rock-paper-scissors, which is usually decided in a single round.
After both players reveal their hands, a divider is placed so they can’t see each other’s next moves.
From there, they can change their hand while talking.
The idea is to watch your opponent’s expressions closely and use their words to infer which hand you should switch to in order to win.
Sometimes what they say and the hand they actually choose don’t match, so detecting those lies is a crucial key to victory.
If you set a limit on the number of changes allowed, players can focus even more on reading the words and engaging in psychological tactics.
The “whoever says 30 loses” game
It’s a game where you take turns connecting numbers in order, and the person who ends up saying 30 loses.
You can count up to three numbers at a time, and the mind games over how to make your opponent say 30 are part of the excitement.
Because 30 is the decisive number, it tends to draw attention, but there’s actually a surefire strategy that hinges on how you map out the path to get there.
There’s a specific pattern of which numbers you should claim to force your opponent to say 30, so it might actually be more fun if players don’t know this strategy in advance.
Answer checking game
It’s a game where everyone reveals the answer that came to mind from a given theme at the same time to see if you can come up with the same answer.
If your answers match, you’ll feel a sense of connection and get excited; if they differ, it becomes a great topic for further conversation.
You can keep it simple and just see whether your thoughts align, or try a variation where one person guesses the other’s answer—highly recommended, as it tests how well you understand each other.
From straightforward themes that prompt instant answers to niche topics you’ve never considered, try checking your differences in thinking from a variety of angles.
Commonality-Finding Game
The “Find Common Ground Game” is where you keep discovering things you have in common with each other.
You take turns asking questions like “favorite music,” “countries you’ve visited,” and “favorite foods,” and look for overlaps.
When you find commonalities, you start to see the person’s hobbies and ways of thinking, which helps you get closer.
You can set a time limit, but it might also be fun to go unlimited and keep finding common points.
It’s also recommended to add rules like “the person who asks more questions that lead to shared answers wins.”
Who am I? game
It’s a game where you try to figure out the topic from a back-and-forth of questions and answers.
The key is what kinds of questions you ask, and you can enjoy the feeling of narrowing down the possibilities and getting closer to the answer step by step.
Setting rules—like a time limit or only yes/no questions—helps you focus and makes the game more engaging.
If you really can’t figure it out, giving hints that bring you closer to the answer—such as telling the genre of the topic—is recommended.
Don’t-Be-Shy Staring Contest: “Compliment Each Other” Game
It’s a positive game where you look each other straight in the face and throw straightforward compliments at your partner.
If you get embarrassed by the other person’s compliments, you lose—the challenge is to accept the words and keep a straight face.
The key to winning is to genuinely surprise your partner, so compliments from angles you wouldn’t normally say are recommended.
If you speak with real feeling, you can draw out their embarrassment—but be careful, because you might end up feeling embarrassed yourself.